An Amazing Thing to Witness

Went snowshoeing today in nearly ideal conditions. On a ridge trail I saw flashes of grey and squatted down. Some wolves had dashed into a rafter of turkeys about 80 yards ahead. Most of the turkeys took flight right over me, but a few ran across into the midst of additional wolves. Two birds got snatched up and the wolves ran off. Don’t know if the first wolves got birds but I think so. Just to make it all the more thrilling, a bald eagle watched the attack and took flight right over me. Too cold for Bogan so that probably contributed to my stealthy approach. Also saw some trumpeter swans on the river. Just a gorgeous day to be out on the trail. Only a 7” base but more snow coming overnight. Finally, some decent snow!

I once watched a pair of coyotes (there were probably a couple more in the area) working together to kill a deer... amazing ballet that moved out of sight after a short time, but I'm pretty sure I know how it ended. I've also been awakened by the cry of a rabbit being caught and eaten, which in turn generated a chorus of joyous coyote howls from various points around me. The last one I want to share was watching a hawk I knew try to take a squirrel from a tree and miss... the sheepish look he gave me as he returned to his perch near my deer stand was returned with my nod of "you'll get him next time". He understood me. Weird the things you learn when you spend enough time in the woods.

It has been 7 years since I had what I'd call "enough time in the woods". Certainly not getting it here in MD.

This is only my 2nd time seeing this pack, first on the snow. Yotes chase turkeys and deer in my front yard. A cousin said they’re near his place on Long Island. Pretty ubiquitous these days. I don’t think coyotes hunt in packs much. They’re loners compared to wolves. I did see several together crossing a corn field once. Only one or two other than that.

Why we keep going out there. I took a nap a while ago in the woods with my dog and we woke up surrounded by a flock of turkeys. I have seen wolves in Nevada plain as day. I have never seen them together.

I love the spring and fall when the woods are quiet. I used to go out more in the winter. The quiet seasons are when the critters are active. Recently I was camped at a great fishing lake north of Reno in the fall. In 4 days I saw only one party of people. The campgrounds were all closed. Three people near me were wildlife biologists. Their job was positioning trail cameras and monitoring them. I asked what they were seeing. This was on the Plumas National Forest. Their answer was "lions, bears and wolves." I thought they were joking at first. They described the Lassen Pack up near the Mt Lassen NP.

This is beautiful, man. I love to see people enjoying winter time. It will be hot soon enough. Let’s not rush things.

It would be nice to see a pack taking down a caribou during migration, but a turkey raid will likely be as close as I’ll get. Kinda sad, really.

Seeing wildlife acting natural is what it's all about IMO.

I’m thinking about getting an arctic anorak. I like going out during snowstorms. Call me crazy.

I like going out during snowstorms. Call me crazy.

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Snowflakes break up soundwaves in a heavy storm. I love the silence of a good snow (unfortunately, looks like most of it tomorrow will be missing us to the South)

Gamma1214 said:

Snowflakes break up soundwaves in a heavy storm. I love the silence of a good snow (unfortunately, looks like most of it tomorrow will be missing us to the South)

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Yes, it’s just so peaceful. Unfortunately, my wool anorak gets wet and clammy. It’s shrunk since I bought it a few years ago, harder to get on, off. I may just find a good parka.

I am adding a small chair and a thermos to my backpack so I can just sit and take in the scenery during snowfalls. Need a more weather tight outer layer for such shenanigans.

Bear in mind that waterproof is windproof. Throw the summer rain jacket over the anorak & call it a day?

I did a lot of field work over the years in every western state. Being out there for weeks at a time allowed for a lot of interactions with wildlife. I really miss the large herds of mule deer, elk and antelope in the Rocky Mtn states. In winter there can be 100 or much more together. Seeing badgers, bobcats, raptors and fox every day never gets old. I miss seeing them.

Sometimes we were doing wildlife surveys. I helped an associate wildlife biologist do a monthly survey for a year on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation in eastern Idaho. In the winter we were on cross country skis viewing large herds of mule deer, elk and the occasional moose. I couldn't believe I was getting paid to be out there.

If you have never been to Yellowstone in the spring or fall, consider going sometimes soon. It is the American Serengeti. I like to have dinner on the tail gate and stay out past dark. Then you can see the local wolf packs doing the sacred dance with large bison herds.

Black_Fly said:

I am adding a small chair and a thermos to my backpack so I can just sit and take in the scenery during snowfalls. Need a more weather tight outer layer for such shenanigans.

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Might I suggest a twig stove? Making cocoa over a fire in the snow is one of those quiet joys in life.

clemency said:

Might I suggest a twig stove? Making cocoa over a fire in the snow is one of those quiet joys in life.

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And low and behold, this showed up in my FB memories from three years ago today!